View full sizeDale Strong, left, and Wayne Parker are both vying for Madison County Commission Chairman. (The Huntsville Times/File photos)

Dale Strong, who is running for chairman of the Madison County Commission, used $700,000 in tax money in 2003 to buy land from a second cousin, a purchase that benefited his cousin by $49,000.

Strong has represented the Monrovia area on the county commission since 1996. On Tuesday he faces Wayne Parker in the GOP primary for commission chairman.

Parker and some supporters are raising questions about Strong's purchase of those 35 acres along Blake Bottom Road nine years ago. Strong said he bought the land to widen the busy Blake Bottom Road or to allow for an exit ramp to bypass a dangerous intersection with Research Park Boulevard.

"We will continue the effort to get an exit ramp at Blake Bottom," said Strong late Friday.

Strong purchased the land less than a month after his cousin, Roy McCray, bought the property during an auction at the Madison County Courthouse. Strong said he also attended the auction.

According to county records, McCrary paid $651,000 for the property in August of 2003. Strong used his district budget to buy the land from McCrary for $700,000 in September of 2003.

"If I can do a deal for my cousin and he can make $49,000 in a month, that's a good deal for my cousin and me, and a bad deal for the taxpayers," said Parker late Friday.

Strong's campaign manager, Joey Ceci, also provided an appraisal by Garrett & Associates from August of 2003 that valued the vacant 34.8 acres at $870,000, or $25,000 per acre.

"I think it was an excellent purchase," said Strong, who questioned the timing of the issue. "We're in the 24th hour in one of the biggest elections our country has ever seen," he said of Tuesday's vote to choose a GOP presidential nominee "and also to elect the first Republican chairman for Madison County."

Parker, who has three times run unsuccessfully for Congress, said he had already sent the information about the land deal to a radio commentator who had inquired. Parker did not contact The Times, although a supporter did.

Late Friday, Parker said that he disagreed with Strong's appraisal. He said Strong's cousin purchased the property for $651,000 at a public auction. "That's what it's worth," said Parker. "I don't care what Garrett's appraisal says."

Parker also said that Strong had essentially tied up $700,000 in county dollars for nine years.

According to Strong's campaign, the first drawing related to the exit ramp was done in 2010. That was handled by Garver engineering, a Strong supporter. Last month Garver gave a combined $4,000 to House Speaker Mike Hubbard's NET PAC the same day NET PAC gave $4,000 to Strong's campaign. That was the only major activity by Hubbard's PAC that week.

Strong said his family goes back eight generations, that he is related to many people in Madison County and that he doesn't remember the last time he spoke to McCrary. Attempts to reach McCrary late Friday were unsuccessful.

"I'm an open book," said Strong of his time on the commission.

Strong said that he attended the same auction. "I can remember the property was owned by miners," said Strong. "I was at the auction. Did I buy the property? No, I did not. I can't even remember if I had the authority to purchase the property."

McCrary's purchase is dated Aug. 14, 2003. Strong said the appraisal dated Aug. 21 influenced him to buy the property.

"I'm not trying to take a shot at McCrary for being a bad business person for selling at less than the appraised value," said Strong, who said the land has continued to rise in value since.

He said if not used for an exit ramp to improve the intersection, the public land could be also used for green space or a new fire station. He said the land has the potential for city sewer hookup and touches a greenway.

Parker pointed out that Strong, who has called himself a developer, also has faced questions over other land deals, including his attempt six years ago to influence the location of a new high school in his district.

"I think integrity is very important," said Parker, arguing this election would decide the new "CEO of the county."

Joey Ceci, Strong's campaign manager, questioned the timing of a political issue so close to the election. "You're talking about a second cousin," said Ceci. "There's no financial relationship between the two men."